Multi-lancet unit, method and lancet device using the multi-lancet unit, and method of assembling and/or making the multi-lancet unit

Abstract

Multi-lancet unit for a lancet device. The unit includes a plurality of lancets arranged in a row. Each lancet has a front ends a needle which extends from the front end, and a rear end. The front end of at least one of the plurality lancets is removably connected to the rear end of another of the plurality of lancets. The lancet device utilizes the multi-lancet unit and includes a body and a holding member which supports the multi-lancet unit. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-lancet unit in combination with a lancet device, the combination comprising:
 a plurality of lancets arranged one in front of the other; 
 a holding member receiving therein the multi-lancet unit; 
 the holding member being movable at least between a trigger-set position and a puncturing position; 
 a mechanism structured and arranged to move the multi-lancet unit within the holding member; and 
 each lancet comprising a front end, a needle which extends from the front end, and a rear end, 
 wherein the front end of at least one of the plurality lancets is removably connected to the rear end of another of the plurality of lancets. 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lancets comprises two lancets. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lancets comprises at least three lancets. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lancets is between five lancets and twenty lancets. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lancets is between eight lancets and twelve lancets. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of lancets comprises a generally cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       7. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of lancets comprises a non-circular cross-section when viewed perpendicular to a center axis of the plurality of lancets. 
     
     
       8. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of lancets comprises a locking mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The combination of  claim 8 , wherein the locking mechanism is one of a locking recess and a locking projection. 
     
     
       10. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of lancets comprises at least one of a locking recess and a locking member. 
     
     
       11. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the needle of at least one of the plurality of lancets is retractable. 
     
     
       12. The combination of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a depth adjustment mechanism; 
 a cocking mechanism; and 
 a locking or retaining mechanism arranged on the holding member. 
 
     
     
       13. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; and 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin; and 
 after triggering, removing a forward-most lancet. 
 
     
     
       15. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin; and 
 after triggering, moving the multi-lancet forwardly using the mechanism. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of making the multi-lancet unit of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 forming each of the plurality of lancets; 
 arranging the plurality of lancets in a row to form the multi-lancet unit; and 
 inserting the multi-lancet unit into the holding member of the lancet device. 
 
     
     
       17. A multi-lancet unit in combination with a lancet device, the combination comprising:
 a plurality of lancets arranged in a row; 
 a holding member receiving therein the multi-lancet unit; 
 the holding member being movable at least between a trigger-set position and a puncturing position; 
 a mechanism structured and arranged to move the multi-lancet unit within the holding member between a plurality of predetermined axial positions; and 
 each lancet comprising a front end, a needle which extends from the front end, a rear end, an opening extending into the rear end, 
 wherein the front end of at least one of the plurality lancets is removably connected to the rear end of another of the plurality of lancets. 
 
     
     
       18. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of lancets comprises two lancets. 
     
     
       19. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of lancets comprises at least three lancets. 
     
     
       20. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of lancets is between five lancets and twenty lancets. 
     
     
       21. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of lancets is between eight lancets and twelve lancets. 
     
     
       22. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of lancets comprises a generally cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       23. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of lancets comprises a non-circular cross-section when viewed perpendicular to a center axis of the plurality of lancets. 
     
     
       24. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein one of the plurality of lancets is configured to be non-removably connected to another of the plurality of lancets. 
     
     
       25. The combination of  claim 17 , wherein one of the plurality of lancets is configured to be non-removably connected to another of the plurality of lancets after said lancets are separated from each other and connected to each other in a different configuration. 
     
     
       26. The combination of  claim 17 , further comprising a cap which is configured to be removably connected to one of the plurality of lancets and configured to be non-removably connected to another of the plurality of lancets. 
     
     
       27. The combination of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a depth adjustment mechanism; 
 a cocking mechanism; and 
 a locking or retaining mechanism arranged on the holding member. 
 
     
     
       28. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 17 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; and 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin. 
 
     
     
       29. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 17 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; and 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin. 
 
     
     
       30. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 17 , the method comprising:
 arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin; 
 triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancets is caused to penetrate the user's skin; and 
 after triggering, moving the multi-lancet forwardly using the mechanism. 
 
     
     
       31. A method of making the multi-lancet unit of  claim 17 , the method comprising:
 forming each of the plurality of lancets; 
 arranging the plurality of lancets in a row to form the multi-lancet unit; and 
 inserting the multi-lancet unit into the holding member of the lancet device. 
 
     
     
       32. A multi-lancet unit in combination with a lancet device, the combination comprising:
 a plurality of lancets arranged in a row; 
 a holding member receiving therein the multi-lancet unit; 
 the holding member being movable at least between a trigger-set position and a puncturing position; 
 a mechanism structured and arranged to move the multi-lancet unit within the holding member between a plurality of predetermined axial positions; 
 the mechanism comprising a portion arranged outside a body of the lancet device and said portion configured to be movable by a user; 
 each lancet comprising a front end, a needle which extends from the front end, a rear end, an opening extending axially into the rear end; and 
 a cap removably connected to a front one of the plurality of lancets. 
 
     
     
       33. The combination of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a depth adjustment mechanism; 
 a cocking mechanism; and 
 a locking or retaining mechanism arranged on the holding member.